The NHL is on pause for the Winter Olympic break, but there’s no slowing down when it comes to the New York Islanders’ momentum-or their growing list of storylines. With the league on hold until February 25, the Isles sit in a strong playoff position, have added key reinforcements, and are sending a pair of veterans to Milan in pursuit of Olympic gold. Let’s break it all down.
Islanders at the Olympics: Horvat and Palat Go for Gold
Two core Islanders are lacing up for their countries on the Olympic stage.
Bo Horvat, the team’s leading goal scorer with 24 tallies, is suiting up for Team Canada. While Horvat is a top-line center on Long Island, he’ll be asked to play a more defensive, checking role for a stacked Canadian roster. Expect to see him logging key minutes on the penalty kill and in tough matchups-exactly the kind of gritty, responsible game that’s earned him a reputation as one of the more complete forwards in the league.
Ondrej Palat, the Islanders’ newest top-six winger, will represent Czechia. This isn’t his first Olympic rodeo-he played in Sochi back in 2014-and he brings a steady veteran presence to a Czech team that’s hoping to make some noise in the knockout rounds. Palat’s two Stanley Cup rings and playoff pedigree are exactly what make him such a valuable midseason addition for the Isles-and now, his international experience could pay dividends overseas as well.
One name you won’t see in Milan? Ilya Sorokin.
With the Russian national team banned from Olympic participation, Sorokin will remain stateside-and that’s quietly a big win for New York. The Islanders’ elite netminder gets nearly three full weeks of rest and recovery before the final stretch of the regular season.
In a tight playoff race, a fresh Sorokin could be the difference between sneaking in and making a real run.
Playoff Push: Isles Sitting in a Strong Spot
Heading into the break, the Islanders are riding a two-game win streak, including a 5-4 overtime thriller against Pittsburgh and a solid 3-1 victory over New Jersey. They’re currently third in the Metropolitan Division with a 32-21-5 record (69 points), and while they’ve created a little breathing room, the race is far from over.
Columbus and Washington are still within striking distance, and the Isles know they’ll need to keep their foot on the gas once play resumes. The Olympic break offers a chance to rest, reset, and get healthy-but it also hits right as the team was building momentum. The challenge will be picking up where they left off.
Trade Deadline Moves: Palat and Soucy Join the Fold
The Islanders weren’t quiet ahead of the deadline, pulling off two notable acquisitions to bolster their roster.
Ondrej Palat, as mentioned, has already slotted in on the top line with Horvat and Mathew Barzal. His arrival brings championship experience, two-way reliability, and a veteran voice to the locker room. For a team eyeing a deep playoff run, that’s exactly the kind of presence you want in your top six.
On the blue line, Carson Soucy came over from the Rangers, adding size, physicality, and defensive depth. He’s the kind of player who may not show up in highlight reels, but his ability to eat minutes and play tough, situational hockey is crucial down the stretch.
Youth Movement: Ritchie Returns, Schaefer Shines
The Isles are getting contributions from their young guns, too.
Cal Ritchie returned to the lineup on February 5 after missing six games with a lower-body injury. The rookie forward has been skating alongside Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman, and while he’s still finding his NHL footing, his return adds another layer of depth up front.
Then there’s Matthew Schaefer, who continues to impress-and then some. The 18-year-old defenseman scored in the Islanders’ final game before the break and has been quarterbacking power-play units with poise beyond his years.
He’s not just holding his own-he’s thriving. It’s no surprise he’s a leading candidate for the Calder Trophy right now, and his emergence is a big reason why the Islanders’ front office has felt emboldened to make aggressive moves at the deadline.
Looking Ahead
With Olympic action underway and the NHL on pause, the Islanders find themselves in a compelling position. They’ve fortified their roster, have key players gaining experience (or rest) during the break, and are poised for a playoff push that could go down to the wire.
The next few weeks will be about staying sharp, staying healthy, and getting ready to hit the ice running. Because when the league resumes, the sprint to the postseason begins-and the Islanders look like a team ready to make some noise.